Bad Language

Mike Johnson

Once a farmer drove his team of mules into town. He was very late in returning, so his wife asked him what had taken so long.  The farmer replied, “Well, on the way back, I had to pick up the preacher, and from then on, these mules didn’t understand one word I said.”   Although this is a humorous story, it is a story, which illustrates the attitude of many people.

Profanity has become common and is very acceptable in our society today.  Most movies playing at the theater have dialogue saturated with vulgarity. Cursing occurs more frequently on television. Many words used today, just a few years back, were not allowed.  In everyday society, bad language is at an all-time high.  People can use profanity in almost any setting without fear of criticism.  “Toilet language,” “sex language,” and the use of God’s name in vain are popular.

The Christian, however, no matter how corrupt society gets, is to avoid profanity.  Colossians three discusses the new life in Christ.  It points out that Christians are to put off the old man with his sin and are to put on the new man.  Verse 8 lists various sins that Christians are not to practice, such as anger, wrath, and blasphemy.  It also points out that Christians are to put off “filthy language” from their mouths.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt communications (“unwholesome words” NASB)  proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace to the hearers.”  Instead of using “corrupt communications,” we are to use the kind of speech which “edifies” and “ministers grace” to the hearers.  To use corrupt communication is to “grieve” the Holy Spirit (v. 30).

The standards of the Christian are to be higher standards than those of the world.  No matter how filthy the language of the world becomes, the Christian is not to use profanity.  God’s people are to put away all “filthy language.”